What do you serve a crowd when it is hot outside and you do not want to mix individual cocktails? A pitcher of sparkling cucumber and strawberry punch. One litre of sparkling lemonade, one litre of sparkling water, sliced strawberries, and sliced cucumber. Stir gently. Chill for thirty minutes. Serve over ice.
The cucumber is unexpected and it works. It cools the lemonade and adds a freshness that fruit alone does not have. The strawberries turn the punch pink as they sit. Thirty minutes of chilling is enough for the flavours to infuse. This is what we bring to every summer gathering now.
Tips for Making Sparkling Punch
Use chilled ingredients
The sparkling lemonade and sparkling water should both be cold from the fridge. Adding warm liquid to a pitcher kills the carbonation.
Stir gently. A wooden spoon moved slowly through the pitcher. Vigorous stirring knocks out the bubbles.
Slice the fruit and cucumber thin
Thin slices infuse faster and look better in a glass. A quarter-inch thick for the strawberries, thin rounds for the cucumber.
Leave the skin on the cucumber. The green skin against the pink punch looks good and the skin has most of the cucumber flavour.
Sparkling Cucumber and Strawberry Punch
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
Description
So refreshing, this sparkling lemonade punch is packed with fresh cucumbers and strawberries and cool summer flavor. Make it for your next gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 liter Sparkling Lemonade
- 1 liter Sparkling Water
- 1 cup Strawberries (sliced)
- 1 medium Cucumber (sliced)
Instructions
- Combine the sparkling lemonade and sparkling water in a large pitcher.
- Add the sliced strawberries and cucumber to the pitcher.
- Stir gently to mix the ingredients.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve over ice and enjoy.
Notes
You can easily double and triple the amounts. If you prefer a stronger lemon flavor, for 1 liter of Sparkling Lemonade use about ¾ of a 1 liter bottle of Sparkling Water.
You can also use the pink Sparkling Lemonade as well, which taste just a wonderful. If unable to find the Sparkling Lemonade, you can substitute 7Up or Sprite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add alcohol?
Yes. Vodka is the most neutral addition. Two to three ounces per litre of punch. Gin also works if you like a botanical flavour with the cucumber.
Can I use regular lemonade instead of sparkling?
Yes, but add more sparkling water to compensate for the lost carbonation. The bubbles are a big part of what makes this refreshing.
How far ahead can I make this?
Up to two hours. Longer and the carbonation fades and the fruit gets soggy. If making further ahead, combine the fruit and lemonades just before serving.
